Bud loves repetitive activities. Some of his favorite pastimes are emptying the big bucket of bath toys next to the tub into the tub, one at a time, and doing puzzles. When he tosses the toys into the tub, he hands it out to you first. You must say the name of the object before he will toss it into the tub. Sometimes, you have to say it three times, other times you have to tap it first. It is the same way with puzzles; you must say the name of the puzzle piece before he will put it in the board.
Of course I try to push him a little bit and break through some of this repetitiousness. I have Darling say the names, or try to get him to engage with me and repeat the word, I make a game of it and dance the piece back to him. He is pretty stubborn about this and lets me know he is not pleased with my interruptions, but I see it as one of my jobs to try.

On a wonderfully positive note, I realized this week he has memorized the names of the objects and puzzle pieces. Since he does not initiate speech, I did not know this. And I do not know if it is pure memorization, or if he attaches meaning to the words, but nonetheless it was a wonderful discovery! I am reminded again of all that goes on in his cute head of his that I am not privvy to, though this is like a glimpse.

Bud was holding out a letter for his alaphabet puzzle. I said A. He kept holding it out, so I said A twice more and also tapped the piece, covering all my bases. He still held out the piece and then proceeded to get very frustrated. I looked closer and noticed he was holding out an R. I said R, and he put it right in the puzzle. The same thing happened later that evening with the bath tub empting project. He was holding out “pink thing,” a little piece of a Polly Pockey Ship that has no actual name so I call it pink thing, and I said ligtening bolt, as we have a pink bolt from Darlings Rainbow Dash pony. He kept holding it out no matter how many times I said pink thing, and then I finally realized it was the bolt, said lightening bolt, and he tossed it in and picked up the next toy. I feel like maybe this is another step in a positive direction and perhaps a building block for the next set of skills. Hubby said that when I was at work yesterday, Bud picked up a puzzle piece, said the name of it (monkey), and then it it int he puzzle. He has not done it again since, but I am so exited at his progress. Maybe he is not typical, but I am again reminded of how sweet the joys are of celebrating all his accomplishments, big or small.

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